Laser Treatments FAQ
What is the enlighten?
Enlighten is the most advanced laser system for the effective and safe removal of tattoos and benign pigmented lesions.
How does Enlighten laser Tattoo Removal differ from other laser tattoo removal options?
Enlighten features extremely short and high-power picosecond laser pulses which efficiently and quickly break down the ink particles in tattoos. A 'picosecond' is one-trillionth of a second and is 1,000 times shorter than the ' nanosecond' pulses used in existing lasers for tattoo removal.
Picosecond laser pulses have been shown to remove tattoos more completely and in fewer treatment sessions than traditional used historically in the past
How many Treatment sessions are required?
The total number of treatments vary depending on the composition, depth and the color of the ink, as well as the size of the tattoo. You should be prepared for multiple treatment sessions, and your provider can give you a better idea of the total number of treatments needed during your consultation and once your treatments begin.
Why are multiple sessions required?
Tattoo ink is deposited deep in the skin. In order to reach all of the ink in the skin, multiple treatment sessions are needed for clearance. Depth, size and color of the tattoo also impact the number of treatments needed
Will the tattoo completely disappear?
In many cases, yes. However, it is very important to know that come ink colors are more difficult to clear than others
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Is the procedure painful?
Patients compare the procedure to a rubber band being snapped against their skin. Topical or local anesthetics may be available to minimize discomfort
Are there any side effects following the treatment?
Most patients experience redness and swelling immediately following the treatment. These side effects are temporary
Is there any downtime associated with the treatment?
Patients can return to regular activities immediately following the treatment
What is truSculpt 3D?
truSculpt 3D is a new, nonsurgical radiofrequency device designed to sculpt and contour the body. On the average, patients who've had this treatment have experienced an average of 24% reduction in fat thickness in a single treatment
Am I a candidate for truSculpt 3D?
After an initial consultation and a measurement of the apex of localized fat is measured our truSculpt technicians will inform you whether or not you are a candidate. Ideal patients typically have a BMI of less than 30
How long does a treatment take?
The length of your procedure will depend on which areas you are having treated. As a gauge, it usually takes about 1 hour to treat the abdomen and both flanks (love handles).
How many treatments will I need?
You should see results after one treatment, although some patients choose to have a second treatment for final tweaks or to treat additional areas
Will it hurt?
Patients tell us that the procedure feels like a hot stone massage. The technician will gently glide the handpiece over the treatment area and the temperature of the skin will rise but should remain comfortable for the duration of the treatment
Will I need recovery time?
No. This is a noninvasive procedure and you will be able to resume your normal activities right after the treatment. You may feel some tenderness in the treatment area right after the treatment but that will go away within a day or two
Are there any side effects?
You won't experience any side effects except for the slight tenderness mentioned above
When will I see results?
Right after the treatment your body will start to break down and flush out the remnants of the fat cells that have been treated, which begin the reduction in treated area ' s circumference. Every body is different, but most people see noticeable results 6-8 weeks after being treated
What is Excel HR?
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Developed by the pioneers of laser hair removal technology in 2000, Excel HR is the next generation premium laser hair removal technology for women and men of all skin types (including tanned skin patients) - available all-year-round
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What makes Excel HR Laser hair removal different from other laser hair removal technologies?
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More coverage than ever before
Excel HR' s signature truPulse technology delivers consistent and sustained energy in each and every pulse - efficiently reducing the number of treatments required
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Superior patient comfort
Excel HR is significantly improved patient comfort by offering continuous cooling before, during and after each laser pulse. In a patient preference study measuring comfort and satisfaction, 100% of patients chose Excel HR laser hair removal over a competitive laser hair removal procedure
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True laser technology
Unlike limitations of older technologies that use low powered energy sources like pulsed light, Excel HR only uses true, premium, laser sources to achieve the safest, most effective results for patients of all skin types
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How many treatments does Excel HR laser hair removal require?
The total number of treatments varies based on the area treated. Typically, 4-5 treatments spaced 6-8 weeks apart is recommended
Why does laser hair removal require multiple treatments?
Laser and other energy-based hair removal requires multiple treatments because hair grows in different phases. Hair can take 6-12 weeks for it to grow from root to surface - this growth stage is known as the anagen stage and this is the perfect time to receive laser hair removal. You know when you are due for your next session when hair in the treated area begins to grow back. It is very important to stick with the treatment schedule that your practitioners suggest - missing a treatment could allow your hair to enter the next stage where hair begins to detach from the hair follicle which can increase the number of treatments originally required
What areas can be treated?
Due to Excel HR's superior technology exceptional results are seen with all hair types - fine and course. Commonly requested areas include underarms, legs , bikini area as well as men's chest and back.
Limelight ®
What is the LimeLight facial?
The LimeLight Facial is a new, non-invasive approach to skin revitalization using Cutera' s LimeLight. The procedure offers the advantage of improving skin tone and surface imperfections associated with aging and photodamaging.
What areas can be treated?
The LimeLight Facial is ideal for any part of your face, neck and telangiectasia (tiny veins) or brown spots. Light (low contrast) brown spots which were previously difficult to resolve, respond very well to treatment.
What does the treatment do?
By selecting Program A, B or C the laser technician can customize your LimeLight Facial to your skin type and selectively treat the brown and/or red pigmented areas on your skin. It' s the heating of the pigmented brown or red cells that causes the therapeutic effect.
What do treatments feel like?
When the pulse of light is delivered, patients will experience a mild pinching or stinging sensation. Gel is recommended to cool the skin before vascular treatments - anesthesia or pain medication is usually not required.
How long will the treatment take?
Treatment time depends on the area of the body being treated. However, most treatments should take less than one hour.
How many treatments will I need?
One to three treatments are usually sufficient to see results. Additional treatments may be recommended, especially for excessively sun-damaged skin.
What happens after the treatment?
Immediately following treatment, brown spots will start to darken and your skin may appear slightly red. The treated area may be mildly swollen. This typically lasts a few hours and possible a day or longer. Make-up can be applied to cover the redness.
When will I see results?
Within one to three weeks, the darkened spots will flake off and fade. Diffuse redness or telangiectasia will decrease and your mottled complexion will improve.
Will the spots and redness reappear over time?
New brown spots, telangiectasia and diffuse redness may appear with new sun damage; however, they too can be treated. Remember to always apply broad-spectrum sunscreen when outdoors to minimize sun damage and the appearance of new spots and diffuse redness. Rosacea is chronic and cannot be "cured" with any laser or light source, however its appearance can be improved.
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How does Cutera Laser Vein therapy work?
Cutera Laser combines the ideal laser wavelength with the most flexible parameters to deliver a superior vascular laser system. It treats a broad range of vessels from tiny spider veins to deep blue reticular veins quickly, safely and effectively. Patients with dark, light or tanned skin can experience outstanding results.
Who can be treated with the Cutera laser?
The Cutera Laser delivers pulses of light energy which causes the blood within the vein to coagulate, eventually destroying the vessel which is later reabsorbed by your body. Blood flow will then be redirected to veins deeper below your skin's surface , where it should be.
What typed of veins can be treated?
The Cutera Laser can remove unsightly veins from all parts of the body. Small, facial veins can be treated quickly without bruising or complication. Spider veins and large blue leg veins can also be treated with excellent results. Knotty varicose veins are not good candidates. A careful evaluation with your physician will help you determine which vessels can be treated and the best course of treatment.
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How does this compare sclerotherapy?
The doctor will advise you on the best course of action, but many physicians and patients prefer Cutera Laser Veins Therapy because there are no painful injections.
What about blood blisters and port wine stains?
Blood blisters or "hemangiomas" respond very well to Cutera Laser treatment, usually with just one session. Patients with port wine stains and other vascular lesions who had given up on finding a solution have been overwhelmed by the success of their Cutera Laser vascular treatments. A Consultation with the doctor is required prior to scheduling treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
Often, patients find that one or two treatments are sufficient. However, the number of treatments necessary depends on the number, color, and size of the vessels being treated. Since individual results vary.
Does the treatment hurt?
Most patients experience a stinging sensation as the pulses of energy are delivered through the handpiece. Although no local anesthesia or pain medication is typically required, many patients opt to use a topical anesthetic prior to treatment. Following the treatment, the pain is minimal to nonexistent.
What happens after treatment?
Following your treatment, some redness or bruising may occur. When larger veins are treated, a tan or brownish pigment may persist for a few weeks or months following treatment. Patients who have leg vein treatments may be advised to wear support hose for a short amount of time.
What are the possible side effects?
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Although many patients report few if any side effects, those most commonly noticed are slight reddening and local swelling of the skin. These effects typically last for less than 24 hours. Some patients may experience bruising and, in rare instances , blistering may occur.
Are there any restrictions on my activity after treatment?
Patients generally resume most normal activities immediately. However, it is recommended that you avoid vigorous activities such as strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours after treatment. The use of sunscreen is always recommended on any type of areas exposed to the sun. As always, it is always a good idea to limit your sun exposure.
When will I see my results?
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Most patients find that the majority of the treated veins have shown significant improvement within two to six weeks of treatment. However, your final results may not be apparent for several months. Over time, it is possible for new veins to appear, but these too can be removed.
Pearl®
What is the Pearl procedure?
The Pearl is a resurfacing laser that gently and safely treats signs of aging and damaged skin. The pearl procedure reduces fine wrinkles with fewer treatments and less overall recovery than other technologies.
How does the Pearl treatment work?
A pattern of light pulses treats both the top layer and the deeper layers of the skin, providing long-term benefits with minimal downtime. As you heal, your skin will form a thin protective barrier that will slough around day 3 or 4 after the procedure. In a short time, patients will notice overall skin improvements - all from a 15-minute treatment with only 3-4 days of "social" downtime.
What is "social" downtime?
Downtime is the time spent recovering from a procedure. With" social" downtime, you can continue your normal daily activities. However, you may not wish to attend important social events because your face will appear pink/red for 3-4 days.
How does a pearl treatment feel?
The pearl treatment feels like a series of brief pinches. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 representing highest level of pain, most patients report the treatment feeling like a 2 or 3.
When will I see results? How soon can I wear make-up after a pearl treatment?
Results are noticeable by day 3 or 4 when the superficial tissue has peeled off, revealing healthy skin improvements. Make-up may be applied at this time.
Are there any restrictions on my activity after a pearl treatment?
After treatment, the skin will look and feel mildly sunburned. Your practitioner will discuss post treatment care.
How many treatments are recommended?
Many patient ' s may need only one treatment. However, patients may require two treatments spaced approximately one month apart to achieve the desired results.
Can pearl be a part of a combination treatment?
Many patients have a Pearl treatment in combination with other existing cosmetic therapies. These include other Cutera laser and light procedures, such as Laser Genesis and LimeLight.
How does Pearl compare to other laser treatments?
Pearl offers an effective treatment without wound care and lengthy downtime seen with certain Erbium and CO2 laser procedures.
Who is a candidate for Pearl treatment?
Patients with light to medium skin tones and mil to moderate sun damage are ideal candidates.
V-Snug Vaginal Rejuvenation
Who's a candidate for the procedure?
V-Snug is for premenopausal or postmenopausal women who are looking to improve symptoms associated with vaginal atrophy such as vaginal dryness, itching and discomfort during intercourse. The treatment offers a fast, non-surgical procedure that enhances vaginal function for a better sexual experience. Juliet can help women who are seeking to improve vaginal tone and flexibility, or those who have undergone chemically or surgically-induced menopause.
What is treatment like?
Safe, quick and easy in-office procedure. Non-surgical incision less, mild to no discomfort, walk-in walk-out treatment.
Is the treatment painful?
The treatment is not painful and generally does not require anesthesia however, a mild topical anesthetic may be applied, especially when treating the introitus (vaginal opening) and vulvar vaginal area.
How many treatments do I need?
Three treatments are recommended for optimal results. Treatments are administered 4 weeks apart. A once-a-year single follow-up treatment is recommended to maintain the benefits of the procedure.
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What does the V-snug alleviate?
V-Snug alleviates vaginal discomfort, diminishes dryness and itching, improves vaginal tone and flexibility , heightens quality of intimate life.
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Pico-Genesis®
What is Pico Genesis?
PICO Genesis is the latest aesthetic treatment to improve the appearance of unwanted freckles, sun spots and age spots - gently, predictably and quickly. PICO Genesis treatments will make your skin appear lighter, brighter, and more even in a series of two to three treatments.
How does the Pico Genesis treatment work?
Everyone' s skin contains a substance called melanin. IT's what gives our skin its color. When melanin occurs in high concentrations, it can result in brown spots and uneven skin tone. PICO Genesis uses laser light to selectively shatter unwanted pigmentation and remodel the upper layer of the skin to return balance + clearance + radiance to your skin.
How many treatments sessions are required?
A series of two to three PICO Genesis treatments are recommended to achieve an optimal outcome, and ongoing maintenance treatments are encouraged to sustain results over time. Your PICO Genesis provider will discuss a treatment plan during your consultation.
What areas can be treated?
PICO Genesis treatments are ideal for the face, hands and other areas of the body with noticeable signs of sun damage and excess pigmentation.
What can I expect during a Pico Genesis treatment and what does it feel like?
Prior to treatment, your provider will clean the area. You will feel the tip of the laser device touch your skin. As the laser energy is applied, you' ll feel a sensation that patients often compare to a electric rain sensation. Most patients do not find the treatment uncomfortable, but if you do, your treatment provider may apply a topical anesthetic. !mediately after treatment, you may apply cold air or an ice pack for a short time. You should keep the treated area out of the sun and/or apply sunscreen for protection.
What are the possible side effects?
Most patients experience mild redness and swelling immediately following the treatment. These side effects are temporary and typically resolve in several hours. Over the course of a few days, the treated sun spots and freckles will become darker and flake off as they heal, revealing a new, even complexion.
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Is there any downtime associated with the treatment?
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Although you may experience mild redness and swelling for a few hours following the treatment, you can expect to return to your regular activities immediately following the treatment.